Fall of Odessa Will Bring War Close to Palestine, Syria

The possibility of Palestine, Syria, Iraq and Iran becoming seriously involved in active war activities against Nazi armies was considered here today as reports emanating from Axis sources stated that Odessa, the Soviet harbor-city on the Black Sea, has been captured by the German-Rumanian troops.

It is felt here that should this report turn out to be correct, it may lead to the softening up of Turkey and its yielding to the German requests for permission for German armies to pass through Turkish territory. With German troops reported assembled at the Turkish-Bulgarian frontier, the position of Turkey after the fall of Odessa will become serious since the Turkish shores, including the Dardanelles, can easily be bombed by planes from Odessa air bases.

The key to the situation in Palestine, Syria and other countries in the Near East is thus in the hands of Turkey, it was pointed out here today. Should Turkey be compelled to permit the passage of German troops through its territory, Syria, Iraq and Iran all bordering on Turkey will immediately become a war front where Axis and Allied armies will meet fact to face in battles reminiscent of early days of the war on the Lybian front.